VMRO-DPMNE condemned the omission of the second verse of the Macedonian national anthem by singer Tamara Todevska during the 4th of July reception at the US Embassy. According to the opposition party, this was apparently done to promote the policies promoted by Zoran Zaev.

Zaev is damaging Macedonian state and national interests, and now he affected the Macedonian – American friendship, which is of strategic importance for the long term development of our country. It is unacceptable to toy with our history, national feelings and the markings of our identity. It is good that Tamara apologized, but we must condemn the atmosphere created by the Government and the Prime Minister, who shamelessly endangered the symbols of our identity, VMRO-DPMNE said in its press release.

Tamara, who recently represented Macedonia at the Eurovision song contest where she happily promoted the imposed name “North Macedonia”, omitted the verse which names Goce Delcev and other VMRO heroes of the national liberation struggle. The timing was suspicious, given that Macedonia is locked in a dispute with Bulgaria over Delcev’s national background.